Care Force Chronicle-Memphis

 by Florence Capinding


Downtown Memphis.

Partner: ARAMARK

Volunteers: 78

Service Partner: Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association

When: October 10-13, 2010

TCF: Florence Capinding, Dan Nemiroff, Steadman Graves; Project Manager Susan Bensen and Chris Farr

Reserves: Anna Dilernia- City Year Miami Senior Corps Member, Anthony Teague-City Year Miami Senior Corps Member, Lauren Fazah- City Year Headquarters Human Potential Coordinator

On this trip, we had the privilege of working with two reserves from the City Year Miami Team, Anna Dilernia and Anthony Teague, and one reserve from City Year Headquarters, Lauren Fazah. It was very refreshing getting to work with new people and hearing all the great things that are going on at various City Year sites. I think that is one of the things I enjoy most about this job. I have the opportunity to serve with other bright and idealistic individuals from across the United States.  

Lauren Fazah leading ARAMARK
volunteers in constructing picnic tables.

For this week's Care Force Event, we worked with ARAMARK volunteers at the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association. MIFA was founded in 1968 to find a solution for poverty and racial divisions in Memphis. Presently, MIFA engages the community to sustain the independence of seniors, transform the lives of families in crisis, and equip teens for success.  Some of their diverse and powerful programs include - delivering over 2,400 hot lunches to seniors on a daily basis, providing emergency funds for families suffering from an unexpected loss of income, and offering mentoring and life skills for teens in the college application process. MIFA serves over 60,000 individuals annually. ARAMARK volunteers worked in the neighborhood garden and recreation areas.

ARAMARK volunteers painted numerous
playground graphics in the recreation area.

One of my most memorable moments during the preparation week before the big event day was moving 600 pieces of lumber three different times and then measuring and cutting it. You would think this would be exhausting and a waste of time, but our positive can-do attitude made the work seem like it was nothing! And because of our preparation, once the event day finally came the ARAMARK volunteers were able to construct 10 picnic tables, 8 double planter benches, 8 raised planter beds, a sandbox, and a brick pathway for the community garden. I think this was the most construction I've seen on a single event day to date! All the items constructed were placed around MIFA’s housing projects, giving the area a welcoming atmosphere and a sense of community. ARAMARK volunteers also painted playground graphics and 30 panel murals which made the recreation area even more beautiful. It was a very transformative day!

 

Memphis BBQ. Yum.

Outside of work, the team and I gorged on Memphis BBQ. One of the restaurants we ate at was Jim Neely’s Interstate BBQ. They are known for their BBQ spaghetti. On top of ordering spaghetti, we also had BBQ salad, BBQ ribs, BBQ sandwiches, and lots of sweet tea. It was delicious! This Memphis trip will definitely be remembered in my mind.

*Thank you Lauren Fazah for the great photos!